Oh, god, I’m going to be sick.
“How did you get those?” I ask once I manage to swallow past the bile in my throat.
“Well, you see, I’ve got these things called trail cameras all along my property. The boys use them for hunting; I, however, use them to ensure there are no trespassers on my property.You, Miss Gray, are a trespasser in the plans I have laid out for my son.”
I brace my hands on my stomach to keep myself from throwing up, though it’d serve him right if I ruined his expensive dress shoes.
“So, here’s what’s going to happen. If you don’t want these photos to be leaked, along with the video footage from this little afternoon delight, then I suggest you break up with my son. The sooner the better.”
He clearly doesn’t remember the fact that I’ll be attending Berklee and therefore will be in Boston with Jackson anyways. And then there’s the fact he’s not been made privy to yet that I’m married to his son.
Finally able to find my voice, I muster up the courage to ask, “Why are you doing this? He’s your son. Don’t you want him to be happy?”
“Love and happiness are fleeting emotions reserved for weak individuals to cling onto in hopes that their pathetic little lives will have meaning. You’ve not only distracted my son, but you’ve made him believe in this fallacy that what you two have is something bigger than his future. And that’s where you messed up. You’ve proven to be a roadblock, and I just can’t have that.”
I look up at him and whisper, “You’re a monster, do you know that?”
“Ah, yes. I see we’re finally coming to an understanding. I am, in fact, a beast not to be reckoned with. So, you’re going to break up with my son. It will be a clean break. You will not speak to him after doing so, and you most certainly will not be moving to Boston with him. There are plenty of universities around the world, and because I know money is tight for your family, I’m even willing to pay for your education so long as it isn’t anywhere near Harvard.”
He’s a crazy, narcissistic asshole.
“And if I don’t do as you ask?”
“Then I’ll have no choice but to leak these photos and both of your futures will go up in smoke.”
“Why would you threaten Jackson’s future? That doesn’t make any sense for your plans.”
He jams his pointer finger against his chest. “Because I know what’s best for him. And if you aren’t willing to let him go so he can have the future I’ve worked my ass off for him to get, then I’ll sabotage any chance you have of a happy and successful future together.”
“I’ve never met someone so vile,” I tell him weakly.
A slow, sinister smile spreads across his face. “Do remember that whenever you consider contacting my son after you part ways. I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard for me to conduct a thorough investigation into your father’s church. You never know what might turn up—fraud or abuse? Could be quite the scandal. It wouldn’t be a hard sell considering I’m a trusted member of the church and I’d only be doing my civic duty if I felt there was reason to investigate.”
I try to run through my options, coming up with any alternative to avoid this. Maybe I could go to Jackson’s mother and expose her husband’s monstrous ways of interfering in his children’s lives.
I’m not sure what she would do, though, Jackson said she’s always turned a blind eye to his affairs and over-the-top punishments and treatment of Jackson and Bennett over the years.
The senator’s eyes narrow on me. “Whatever scenarios you’re going through in your head right now, let me just stop you. There is no escaping this fate, Taevin. I am the nightmare you can’t outrun. I am a man who makes things happen, and I never bluff. End it with my son or these photos and videos go to every news outlet, gossip rag, and porn site out there.”
He begins to step away from me and shoots me a menacing smile. “I’ll tell you what, I’m feeling generous today.”
Hope blooms in my chest.
“I’ll give you until the night before Jackson leaves for Harvard. If you haven’t ended things by the time we take off for Boston,I’ll leak everything and launch an investigation into your father’s church. See, isn’t that kind of me to bestow that extra time?”
I turn to step out of the alleyway and look over my shoulder at him. “I’d normally never say something like this to anyone, but I hope you rot in hell one day, Senator Wilson. You’re a disgrace of a man. You may think you can keep us apart, but mark my words, one day Jackson and I will find our way back to each other.”
And with that, I hurry down the street and wait until I’m around the block to schedule a rideshare home. I’m in no position to call Jackson for the ride he offered me earlier. Besides, I need time alone to try to process and find a solution to this mess that doesn’t involve breaking both mine and Jackson’s hearts.
27
Now
Taevin and I are just leaving her six-week post-op appointment where Dr. Prescott went over Tae’s treatment plans for getting her port placed tomorrow and then her first round of chemotherapy will be administered right after they ensure the port’s placement looks good.
Dr. Prescott told us Taevin will be doing a chemotherapy regimen administered at the cancer center every three weeks for the next four months.
After opening the clinic door for her, I take her hand in mine and bring our joined hands to my lips. “You’re amazing, you know that?” I ask her as we make our way out to my truck.
